The fluorine atom, by virtue of its electronegativity, size, and bond strength with carbon, can be used to create compounds with remarkable properties. Small molecules containing fluorine have many positive impacts on everyday life of which blood substitutes, pharmaceuticals, and surface modifiers are only a few examples. Fluoropolymers, too, while traditionally associated with extreme hi- performance applications have found their way into our homes, our clothing, and even our language. A recent American president was often likened to the tribology of PTFE. Since the serendipitous discovery of Teflon at the Dupont Jackson Laboratory in 1938, fluoropolymers have grown steadily in technological and marketplace importance. New synthetic fluorine chemistry, new processes, and new apprec- tion of the mechanisms by which fluorine imparts exceptional properties all contribute to accelerating growth in fluoropolymers. There are many stories of harrowing close calls in the fluorine chemistry lab, especially from the early years, and synthetic challenges at times remain daunting. But, fortunately, modern techniques and facilities have enabled significant strides toward taming both the hazards and synthetic uncertainties. In contrast to past environmental problems associated with fluorocarbon refrigerants, the exceptional properties of fluorine in polymers have great environmental value. Some fluoropolymers are enabling green technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells for automobiles and oxygen-selective membranes for cleaner diesel combustion.

Synthesis.- Polyacrylates Containing the Hexafluoroisopropylidene Function in the Pendant Groups.- Fluoromethylene Cyanate Ester Resins.- Polymers from the Thermal (2? + 2?) Cyclodimerization of Fluorinated Olefins.- Functional Fluorpolymers and Fluoropolymers.- Use of Original Fluorinated Telomers in the Synthesis of Hybrid Silicones.- Chlorotrifluoroethylene Suspension Polymerization.- Fluorinated Polymers with Functional Groups.- Synthesis of Fluorinated Poly(Aryl Ether)s Containing 1,4-naphthalene Moieties.- Synthesis and Properties of Fluorine-containing Aromatic Condensation Polymers Obtained from Bisphenol AF and Its Derivatives.- Novel Fluorinated Block Copolymers.- Synthesis and Structure-property Relationships of Low-dielectric-constant Fluorinated Polyacrylates.- Epoxy Networks from a Fluorodiimidediol.- Synthesis of Fluoropolymers in Liquid and Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Solvent Systems.- Direct Fluorination.- Direct Fluorination of Polymers.- Surface Fluorination of Polymers Using Xenon Difluoride.- New Surface-fluorinated Products.- Modified Surface Properties of Technical Yarns.- Vapor Deposition.- Vapor Deposition Polymerization as a Route to Fluorinated Polymers.- Ultrathin PTFE, PVDF, and FEP Coatings Deposited Using Plasma-assisted Physical Vapor Deposition.